ΣΤΟΝ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟ ΑΜΠΕΛΩΝΑ ΤΗΣ ΑΦΡΙΚΗΣ: Orthodox Churches in South Africa celebrate “Oxi” OHI Day

Τρίτη 4 Νοεμβρίου 2014

Orthodox Churches in South Africa celebrate “Oxi” OHI Day – Greek National Day (2014)

Archbishopric of Good Hope
http://www.goarch.co.za/orthodox-churches-in-south-africa-celebrate-oxi-ohi-day-greek-national-day/#more-4081

Cathedral of Saint George – Cape Town, Western Cape

On Sunday 2 November, His Eminence Archbishop Sergios, Metropolitan of Good Hope (Cape Town) officiated at the Service of the Holy Eucharist which included the Doxology for “Oxi” OHI Day, together with the Reverend Nikolaos Giamouridis and Deacon Michael Simos at the Cathedral of Saint George in Woodstock, Cape Town.
The services were held in the presence of Her Excellency Mrs Maria Diamantopoulou, the Greek Ambassador, Mr Thomas Matsoukas, Consul for Greece in Cape Town and consular staff, Mr Nassos Martalas, president of the Hellenic Community of Cape Town, and committee members, Mr Andreas Coulbanis, president of the Hellenic Students Association of Cape Town and Dr Stassinakis, (ambassador of the “friends of Kanzanzakis” international).

In his address after the service His Eminence said that it is important for us as Greeks to celebrate our National Days and to learn from the heroic struggles of the Greeks against hostile invaders and oppressors of the past. They risked their lives because they believed in “freedom for all of humanity”.
He said that God made a promise to His people that whoever is with Him will not perish and it was their faith in God that fortified them in their struggle and that on days such as these the Church gives thanks to God for always giving strength and protection to His people.
His Eminence stressed that like the heroes of “Oxi” OHI Day, we all need to stand and work together, and that we are never alone as we always have God at our side. He also encouraged the children to be aware of the importance of keeping up our Holy Traditions and to be proud of whom they are.

He welcomed the Ambassador of Greece, Her Excellency Mrs. Maria Diamantopoulou and thanked her for taking time out of her busy schedule to attend our celebrations.
He said that those who choose to be in the diplomatic call make many sacrifices for their country and that their main purpose is to carry the spirit of Greece to those Greeks living in foreign countries and to remind them or their roots and ties with our Mother/Father land and then invited the her to address the people.
Her Excellency delivered a very hopeful and encouraging message for the future drawing on the experiences of the past which only strengthens our resolve
After the services everyone gathered at the Hellenic Community Centre in Mouille Point, Cape Town where community members smiled and held heads high as they proudly watched their children and grandchildren recite poems, sing national and folk songs and perform traditional dances in memory of “Oxi” OHI Day.